Following orders from the occupation administration and an "assessment of the security situation," the Israeli occupation forces ordered a complete lockdown of the occupied West Bank and the shutdown of crossings in the Gaza Strip starting Friday afternoon, alleging that the Israeli New Year is approaching.
According to an assessment of the security situation and political level directives, it was decided to close the West Bank and Gaza crossings from Friday afternoon until the following Saturday and Sunday night, in conjunction with Israel's New Year's Day. This was announced by the official occupation radio station, "Kan."
The closure in the Gaza Strip includes the Karam Abu Salim commercial crossings and Beit Hanoun ("Erez") for the movement of individuals north of the besieged Strip. In the West Bank, permits for Palestinian workers to work in the 48 areas are now stopped, as is the closure of certain crossings and a number of streets passing through settlements.